Enes Kanter is trying to play through pain in the Portland Trail Blazers’ second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, but that’s easier said than done.
Kanter separated his shoulder during Portland’s Game 5 closeout win over the Thunder last week. He was in a sling after the game but has been trying to work his way through it, acknowledging it’s a process.
He suited up for Game 1 of the team’s conference semifinals series against the Nuggets and had his shoulder heavily padded/treated. In the first quarter, he cut towards the basket for a dunk and hung on the rim briefly, which he realized put him in pain.
Enes Kanter two hand slam aggravates that left shoulder and then realizes he has to be more careful. pic.twitter.com/rI15tUZENF
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) April 30, 2019
Kanter remained in the game despite the injury, but he realized he had to be smarter about not putting undue stress on his shoulder.
The 26-year-old big man has been an offensive force for Portland in the playoffs. He’s playing so well that he had to thank the Knicks for letting him join a contender.
